Tonight I am just too wiped out to go into much detail beyond saying that my scrambling ability allowed me to post a round of 68 today for a four round total of -16, 272 and first place position at the conclusion of Stage 1. Stage 2 starts this comming wednesday where I will battle for 1 of 40 tour cards that will be issued.
http://www.asiantour.com/ has the final results of todays events in their fourth headline on the homepage.
132 players started at my stage on wednesday. The field was cut to 80 players after two rounds and 18 players advanced today to final stage.
I will write more tomorrow, thanks for all the support this week!!
Saturday, December 8, 2007
Friday, December 7, 2007
Round 3
Round 3: I hit 18 greens in regulation...maybe the first time I've done that ever in competition and posted -8, 64. My three round total is -12, 204 and although I havent paid any attention to standing this week, I would have to assume I have a great position heading into the final round. Tomorrow I have the luxury of spending the final round playing to be the medalist of the first stage instead of grinding away, worrying about what the cut number will be. I will keep on playing in the moment, like I've done all week and when the stage 1 is complete tomorrow, I will write a detailed account of the event and post new pictures. Thanks for sending the encouraging messages this week...whatever vibes everyone is sending is much appreciated and helping me shoot great scores.
PS~ I made my Asian TV debut today following my round...introduced the far east to the yankee cowboy.
PS~ I made my Asian TV debut today following my round...introduced the far east to the yankee cowboy.
Thursday, December 6, 2007
Round 2
After a blustery afternoon on the oceanside links of Borneo GC, I posted a round 2 score of -1, 71. My two round total is -4, 140. The field is now cut in half and the final two rounds are approaching. I think I am somewhere around 10th place. I am trying to play in the moment this week and not get overly concerned with scores, both mine and my competitors, so I havent really checked my position.
My putter has been letting me down since the begining of the tourney but after some minor tweaks on the practice green this evening, I am confident that dynamic will change tomorrow.
I birdied the 16th by sticking an 8 iron to 3 feet and followed it up by narrowly missing a 20 foot eagle opportunity on 17 and taping in for birdie. The finishing hole had me in the short side bunker (a trecherous place) with a steep lip and the pin seemingly resting ontop of it. I hit the perfect sand shot that lipped out of the low side of the hole and came to rest a foot past the cup. Lots of good vibes heading into tomorrow's 3rd round. Stay tuned, great things to come.
My putter has been letting me down since the begining of the tourney but after some minor tweaks on the practice green this evening, I am confident that dynamic will change tomorrow.
I birdied the 16th by sticking an 8 iron to 3 feet and followed it up by narrowly missing a 20 foot eagle opportunity on 17 and taping in for birdie. The finishing hole had me in the short side bunker (a trecherous place) with a steep lip and the pin seemingly resting ontop of it. I hit the perfect sand shot that lipped out of the low side of the hole and came to rest a foot past the cup. Lots of good vibes heading into tomorrow's 3rd round. Stay tuned, great things to come.
Wednesday, December 5, 2007
And their off...
I was able to get a day 1 7:30 tee time starting on the more difficult of the two nine hole sides which meant: the more challenging side's ground would be softer and I wouldn't have to contend with much wind. After my name was announced at 7:32, I hit my opening tee shot 315 down the left center of the fairway with a slight cut into the middle.
There is an art to the game in general, but the opening tee shot of a major competition adopts new meaning because it carries with it more emotion and adrenaline than a player will typically face all day. You've prepared for weeks, maybe months, rehearsed every shot over a thousand times. You've envisioned yourself playing this particular opening shot for the last few days yet, your hands still manage to shake a little; it becomes a test of faith. For some players, those little jitters and hand shakes translate into negative energy. For me, it is the highest form of being. It means you're alive, living in a defining moment and you are being tested. The prep work leading up to the event is monotonous, painful and can be boring. This moment makes it all worthwhile. It's like laying down your inner fortitude as the bet on the black jack table. It's about taking control of your life and then letting it go to regain control again. No matter what happens, this moment is nothing short of spectacularly revealing.
I was able to take advantage of the morning conditions and made the turn in three under par 33. I played well on the following side, but it failed to yeild as many birdies and donated a couple bogies to the cause. When the dust settled, I walked away from the course with a scorecard that read 69 and a belief that there are a lot more opportunities waiting for me to grasp hold of tomorrow. If I can manage to find and maintain a comfortable emotional state for round 2, the leaders of the tournament are going to find themselves getting passed like my ball over my competitors' on the tournament's opening tee shot.
There is an art to the game in general, but the opening tee shot of a major competition adopts new meaning because it carries with it more emotion and adrenaline than a player will typically face all day. You've prepared for weeks, maybe months, rehearsed every shot over a thousand times. You've envisioned yourself playing this particular opening shot for the last few days yet, your hands still manage to shake a little; it becomes a test of faith. For some players, those little jitters and hand shakes translate into negative energy. For me, it is the highest form of being. It means you're alive, living in a defining moment and you are being tested. The prep work leading up to the event is monotonous, painful and can be boring. This moment makes it all worthwhile. It's like laying down your inner fortitude as the bet on the black jack table. It's about taking control of your life and then letting it go to regain control again. No matter what happens, this moment is nothing short of spectacularly revealing.
I was able to take advantage of the morning conditions and made the turn in three under par 33. I played well on the following side, but it failed to yeild as many birdies and donated a couple bogies to the cause. When the dust settled, I walked away from the course with a scorecard that read 69 and a belief that there are a lot more opportunities waiting for me to grasp hold of tomorrow. If I can manage to find and maintain a comfortable emotional state for round 2, the leaders of the tournament are going to find themselves getting passed like my ball over my competitors' on the tournament's opening tee shot.
Tuesday, December 4, 2007
Green light
It's tournament time! That is refreshing to say. The time before tournaments is almost too much to handle. It's like the drive to pickup your dream girl for your first date. There is all this emotion and excitment, pressure and anticipation building and waning inside in random bursts and it is your job to manage all of it; to pick up the blocks and put them where they fit.
When we finally arrived at the tourney site two days ago, there was no record of me having requested a hotel room and no rooms available in their 27 room chalet. The resort is an hour and a half from civilization and the nearest small town in over half an hour in the opposite direction...I opted for the small town and am now staying in a small motel in an extreamly remote Malaysian village. It consists of a few hotspots: a local grocery store, a chinese restuarant, a few indian restaurants and some small shops, one of which happens to be an internet cafe...it reminds me of a small college. It has a bubble enviroment feel.
The golf course is very challenging. Three holes are on the ocean and use it as a hazard. The wind blows strongly off the ocean and onto the well-designed course. Nicklaus did a great job with this course...lots of decisions to be made. For examlple, the 13th is a 425 par 4 with a giant pond running down the center of the hole. You tee off on the right side of the pond and at some point have to make it to the left side. If you choose this route off the tee, you contend with a 250 carry over the pond, straight into the ocean breeze. If you play down the right and cross on shot 2, you're landing area is considerable narrower on shot 1 with water and OB in play. Then you have to cross the pond on shot 2 and play into a narrow green surrounded by water and bunkers, not to mention the ocean breeze that blows across your shot.
I mention this hole because it is here where I will pick up shots on the field: I can use my driving abilities to an advantage and cross on shot 1, leaving a shot wedge into the hole. There are more subtle choices all over the golf course.
Despite my weakened condition and dramatic weight loss, my preparation has been flawless and the results have dictated that. I had the two best practice rounds of my life in the last two days. Monday I hit the ball beautifully and found some shots I can rely on this week. Today, I made my final decisions as to aiming points, club selections, etc. and executed like a man on a mission. I know that if I can stay confident, faithful and relaxed in the heat of battle tomorrow, there is nothing that should impede me from making the goal of qualifying for the asian tour a reality.
When we finally arrived at the tourney site two days ago, there was no record of me having requested a hotel room and no rooms available in their 27 room chalet. The resort is an hour and a half from civilization and the nearest small town in over half an hour in the opposite direction...I opted for the small town and am now staying in a small motel in an extreamly remote Malaysian village. It consists of a few hotspots: a local grocery store, a chinese restuarant, a few indian restaurants and some small shops, one of which happens to be an internet cafe...it reminds me of a small college. It has a bubble enviroment feel.
The golf course is very challenging. Three holes are on the ocean and use it as a hazard. The wind blows strongly off the ocean and onto the well-designed course. Nicklaus did a great job with this course...lots of decisions to be made. For examlple, the 13th is a 425 par 4 with a giant pond running down the center of the hole. You tee off on the right side of the pond and at some point have to make it to the left side. If you choose this route off the tee, you contend with a 250 carry over the pond, straight into the ocean breeze. If you play down the right and cross on shot 2, you're landing area is considerable narrower on shot 1 with water and OB in play. Then you have to cross the pond on shot 2 and play into a narrow green surrounded by water and bunkers, not to mention the ocean breeze that blows across your shot.
I mention this hole because it is here where I will pick up shots on the field: I can use my driving abilities to an advantage and cross on shot 1, leaving a shot wedge into the hole. There are more subtle choices all over the golf course.
Despite my weakened condition and dramatic weight loss, my preparation has been flawless and the results have dictated that. I had the two best practice rounds of my life in the last two days. Monday I hit the ball beautifully and found some shots I can rely on this week. Today, I made my final decisions as to aiming points, club selections, etc. and executed like a man on a mission. I know that if I can stay confident, faithful and relaxed in the heat of battle tomorrow, there is nothing that should impede me from making the goal of qualifying for the asian tour a reality.
Saturday, December 1, 2007
Sorry for my lack of attention in the last week to my updates...it was an unfortunate matter of priorities. Long story synopsis is I contracted the southeast Asia hebbie jebbies and couldnt keep any food or water in my body for the entire week. That, combine with a high fever, didnt leave much energy for anything besides attempting to sleep.
Good news is I'm on the mend. Today was the first day out of bed and I made it out for a short practice session. I also got on the scale to find whatever was in my body, absconded with 20 pounds. I have a new 'trim' self. But hey, it's the Asian monk way..."when in Asia..."
Q-School starts this comming Wednesday and I am headed to the tourney site tomorrow. I'll get at least two good days of practice Monday and Tuesday and hopefully plenty of rest tomorrow so I can be ready for them.
As the comming week's days pass, I will keep the blog updated.
Good news is I'm on the mend. Today was the first day out of bed and I made it out for a short practice session. I also got on the scale to find whatever was in my body, absconded with 20 pounds. I have a new 'trim' self. But hey, it's the Asian monk way..."when in Asia..."
Q-School starts this comming Wednesday and I am headed to the tourney site tomorrow. I'll get at least two good days of practice Monday and Tuesday and hopefully plenty of rest tomorrow so I can be ready for them.
As the comming week's days pass, I will keep the blog updated.
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